Releasing leaders on Day 3 of Hillsong Conference 2017

At 9.30am Qudos Arena was filled with the decadence of heart-filled worship, 21000 led by American Christian artist, Lauren Daigle, who sang hit single “How Can It Be?” among other well-known titles. So early in the morning and Day 3 of Hillsong Conference 2017 was already shaping up to be massive. Global Senior Pastor, Bobbie Houston took to the stage shortly after and welcomed those present, mistakenly believing it was still Wednesday. “Wow it’s Thursday already!” she said when she realised. No one could blame her though. Such is the whirlwind that is Hillsong Conference.

Thursday was all about influence, but building on what Global Senior Pastor, Brian Houston had spoken the day before, Beth Moore, evangelist, author and Bible teacher, urged the 21000 people present, “if you can’t influence those in power in this world, make sure you’re not influenced by them.”

Moore continued, “the enemy’s betting on humanity’s self-interest, and he’s winning. Christians are just as self-absorbed as everyone else, except we act in Jesus’ name, mistakenly believing that makes us humble.”

There is a real danger in this age of becoming so engrossed in our own self-importance and progress, that we turn doing great things for the Lord into doing great things for us, which is very different, and has a dire end.

And Beth Moore wasn’t the only speaker on Day 3 of Hillsong Conference speaking about the importance of Godly influence. Pastors Craig Groeschel of Life.Church and Chris Hodges of Church of the Highlands shared similar sentiments urging those listening to use their God ordained capacity to lead people in the right way, away from sin and towards righteousness, towards strength and victory.

“Change the world but don’t let it change you.” Those are the words Hodges spoke over each of his five children every time they left the house to go somewhere, be it school or parties. “Did they forget? You bet! But I was there to gently remind them who they really were when they forgot themselves.”

Some present may have forgotten who they were when they left Qudos Arena to stretch their legs and bask in the sunshine for the two-hour intermission before the night time program commenced, but for a moment at least every single person in that arena was distinctly aware of who he or she was and is, and their purpose in this world.

Just in case they needed reminding, Groeschel, who as it turns out is very good at telling it as it is, echoed the words of morning’s speakers.

“God doesn’t need you to be important. He needs you to be faithful.” Threads of Beth Moore’s caution against self-obsession were evident in Groeschel’s message, which encouraged people to rise up to be all that they had been created to be, “but run your own race,” Groeschel insisted. “No measure of comparison will ever help you if you’re not running your own race.”

I don’t know whether it’s the angelic voice and incredible passion of Lauren Daigle singing, the stunning eloquence of Beth Moore’s illustrations, the veins popping in Craig Groeschel’s biceps every time he told the crowd gathered that they had “capacity”, or Chris Hodges’ down to earth and hilarious style of speaking, which was the best part of today. What I do know is that I left today incredibly challenged and inspired, challenged to realign myself with God’s plan on a regular basis, and inspired to live knowing that by doing that I am actually doing really well.